Loup Generator — Fall 2020
The Ruthie cabin cruiser makes a big splash in 1939, the Lake Babcock Amusement Resort works to develop the lake into a "boating mecca", protecting the piping plover and interior least tern at the Genoa Headworks.
The Ruthie cabin cruiser makes a big splash in 1939, the Lake Babcock Amusement Resort works to develop the lake into a "boating mecca", protecting the piping plover and interior least tern at the Genoa Headworks.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Pair of nesting least terns.<br />
Photo by Michael Gutzmer.<br />
Gutzmer has worked with <strong>Loup</strong> since 2010, and is in<br />
the process of completing those studies. Gutzmer and<br />
his team will continue monitoring through 2023 when<br />
they will complete a final report.<br />
Their business serves as the environmental compliance<br />
arm for <strong>Loup</strong> <strong>—</strong> surveying bird populations and<br />
their habitats, and completing reports on fish, water<br />
pollution, invasive species, wetlands, and other<br />
environmental issues.<br />
In his work with <strong>Loup</strong>, Gutzmer has also conducted<br />
training and general awareness for <strong>Loup</strong> employees,<br />
showing them how to monitor the area for birds and<br />
nests. He also educates District employees about other<br />
applicable environmental regulations.<br />
NEW HABITAT AT HEADWORKS<br />
Although the <strong>Loup</strong> project changed the flow of the river<br />
in the 1930s, the dredging operation has created new<br />
habitat over all these years.<br />
“<strong>Loup</strong> has helped the species tremendously because we<br />
are creating habitat on the sand management areas,”<br />
said Chris Shank, <strong>Loup</strong>’s Civil Engineering Compliance<br />
Technician.<br />
Gutzmer echoed that observation.<br />
“The extraction and dredging of sand from the supply<br />
canal has created significant substrate for nesting<br />
opportunities at the Genoa Headworks,” he said. “<strong>Loup</strong><br />
can take credit in and around the entire canal system<br />
for creating many aquatic resource opportunities that<br />
might not otherwise exist.”<br />
Gutzmer said diversion also lowers flows in the bypass<br />
reach, creating more sand bars for bird nesting. NCE<br />
has formally documented this in FERC article studies.<br />
<strong>—</strong> continued on page 14<br />
Above left: a least tern with a fish in its beak. Photo by Kate Asmus.<br />
Above right: New Century Environmental employees Shailyn Miller and<br />
Jordan Kort and contract biologist Tony Bryne survey piping plover and<br />
least tern at the Genoa Headworks in May with the help of driver Bob<br />
Souillere. Photo by Michael Gutzmer.<br />
The Pawnee II dredges sand and sediment from the settling basin at the<br />
Genoa Headworks. It is pumped into sand management areas (shown<br />
below), creating new habitat for the piping plover and least tern. The<br />
district ceases dredging during the birds’ nesting season from June<br />
through August to protect the nests.<br />
FALL <strong>2020</strong> 13